PUBLIC 


AND  FRIENDS  OF  RELIGION 
IN  GENERAL.  ON  THE  PRIN- 
CIPLE AND  PRACTICE 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS 

For  the  United  States  of  America. 

By  DANIe  JpARKER, 

Minister  of  the  Gospel. 

VINCENNES : 

PRINTED  BY  STOUT  & OSBORN. 


OF  THE 


OF 


1820. 


ADDRES 


Cii’cumstanceshave  occurred  in 
course  of  a year  or  two  past,  which 
have  caused  sonic  letters  to  pass  iie- 
tween  myself  and  some  of  my  breth- 
ren, on  the  mission  system,  which  let- 
ters have  created  an  anxiety  in  tiie 
minds  of  some  of  my  acquaintances, 
and  they  have  requestd  me  to  bring 
my  views  on  that  subject  before  the 
public  : And  as  I fee!  my  mind  se- 

riously impressed  to  detect  eiror  and 
defend  the  cause  of  truth  ; I feel  wil- 
ling to  answer  my  part,  and  shew  my 
opinion. 

It  is  evident  that  great  talents  have 
been  engaged,  and  much  time  and 


money  spent  to  vindicate  the  mission 
plan,  and  as  yet,  but  little  said  or  done 
against  it.  It  makes  me  shudder  when 
1 think  I arn  the  first  one,  (that  I have 
knowledge  of,)  among  the  thousands 
of  zealous  religions  of  America,,  that 


C 4 J 

have  ventured  to  draw  the  sword  a- 
gainst  the  error,  or  to  shoot  at  it  and 
spare  no  arrows  ; and  more  particu- 
jar.  when  I know  that  T lack  that 
qualification  that  is  pleasing’  to  the 
spirit  of  the  world,  for  1 have  no  ed- 
vication  but  to  read,  and  have  no 
knr.wledge  of  the  English  grammar, 
only  as  my  bible  has  tauglit  me  ; but 
all  the  apology  I shall  make  for  my 
grammatical  errors  is  that  God  has 
chose  the  foolish  things  of  this  world 
to  confound  the  wise — therefore,  I 
will  venture. 

About  eighteen  years  ago.  when  in 
the  s<ate  of  Georgia,  I believe  the 
.Lord  called  me  to  prcacli  the  gospel. 
Since  that  time.  I h.avc  travelled  thro’ 
a great  many  of  the  States  of  Ameri- 
ca, and  spent  much  of  my  time  in  the 
state  of  'rennessee  ; hut  I am  now  a 
citizen  of  the  state  of  Illinois.  Clarke 
county,  'Flirough  this  course  of  my 
life  I have  found  it  my  duty,  to  de- 
fend the  cause  of  my  Master  aitd 
contend  earnestly  for  the  lailii  once 


delivered  to  the 
I -,ave  been  under 
pose  eiTor,  and 
my  baptist  brethren,  \v 
is  the  living  church  of  Jesus 
my  feelings  ai  e worse  hurt,  and  I am 
apt  to  strike  the  harder.  I have  ob- 
served four  things  that  cannot  be  de- 


nied. 


1.  The  errors  which  ha^'e  flowed 
from  the  misled  zeal,  and  from  under 
the  cloak  of  religion,  are  almost  in- 
numerable 

2 These  errors  have  nearly  all  ori- 
ginated amongst  tiic  wise  and  learned, 

,S  T ney  are  more  generally  sup- 
ported by  arguments  drawn  from  the 
wisdom  of  the  world,  than  the  au- 
thority of  the  bible. 

4 That  when  the  scriptures  are  in- 
troduced as  evidence,  they  are  sure  to 
be  drawn  in  more  to  answer  (he  plan 
of  man’s  invention,  than  give  tlie  true 
meaning  of  God’s  word  ; and  so  the 
error  is  better  supported  by  the 
cunning  craft  of  ingenious  argument, 


[ 3 

than  tlic  force  of  evidence.  By  thic 
means  the  dear  children  of  God  are 
thrown  into  a state  of  confusion,  and 
friends  of  religion  or  enquiring  char- 
acters stand  amazed  in  wonder  and 
tlie  enemies  of  religion  take  latitude 
to  deny  revelation,  and  persecute  the 
saints.  1 make  these  irmarks  to  lead 
our  minds  to  the  subject  in  hand, 
wliich  is  “ the  principal  and  practice 
of  the  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions ” in  attending  to  this  subject  I 
shiali  aim  to  give  rny  \ iews  in  as  short 
a manner  as  I well  can,  so  as  to  give 
the  reader  a plain  understanding  of 
w liat  I mean  to  oppose,  and  what  I 
am  williiig  to  support,  without  ma- 
king use  of  any  unfair  argument, 
stul)boiness  or  bigotry.  In  doin 
this,  I ho[)c  you  will  admit  me  t 
speak  mv  mind  freely  without  ofler- 
ing  any  violence  to  your  feelings,  as 
I know  I am  an  accountable  creature 
to  God  for  all  I do.  As  such,  consid- 
er what  I say,  and  may  (he  Lord  give 
the  understanding  in  all  things.  As 


bC  O 


C 7 1 

I am  writing  to  a people  that  I hope 
are  well  acquainted  with  them  bible,  it 
relieves  me  of  the  trouble  of  referring 
to  chapters  and  verses  in  my  quota- 
tions, except  in  some  particular  cases. 
In  order  to  be  well  understood,  I shall 
undertake  the  subject  in  the  follow-  ■ 
ing  manner. 

1.  To  remove  the  prejudices  that 
has  rose  against  us  who  oppose  the 
mission  system. 

2.  To  show  what  we  stand  oppos- 
ed to,  and  what  we  are  willing  to  do. 

3.  To  understand  what  the  Bap- 
tist Board  intends  to  do,  from  the 
face  of  their  constitution,  and  prove  it 
by  their  doctrine  and  practice. 

4 Examine  the  principle  evidences 
they  introduce  for  its  support. 

5 Try  the  principal  and  practice 
of  the  board  in  sending  out  preachers 
by  the  principle  and  practice  of  C hrist 
and  nis  apostles. 

6.  Point  out  some  of  the  particular 
evils  tiiat  I view  in  the  mission  plan. 

7.  And  lastly,  take  a small  view  of 


r 8 j 

the  whole.  It  Is  not  my  wish  to 
cause  any  further  distress  among  my 
brethren,  than  now  exists,  but  hope 
this  short  epistle  may  be  a means  in 
the  hands  of  God  to  shew'  them  the 
great  evil  they  are  supporting  ; for  the^*^ 
confidence  I have  in  the  religion  of 
my  brethren,  induces  me  to  believe 
that  if  they  could  lay  aside  the  vices 
of  their  mind,  and  examine  their  zeal, 
they  w’ould  find  it  w'^as  not  according 
to  the  knowdedge  given  in  God’s 
w’ord.  They  w'ould  then  come  fair- 
ly to  the  truth,  and  w'c  could  say,  we 
arc  of  one  heart,  one  soul  and  one 
mind  ; how  pleasant  this  would  be, 
Now  as  the  subject  is  of  great  magni  - 
tudeon  w’hich  the  peace  of  Ziongreat- 
ly  depends,  I hope  my  readers  w'ill 
not  pass  too  hasty  a judgment,  but 
will  read,  consider,  and  compare  with 
God's  word,  then  ask  his  heart  wheth- 
er these  things  be  true  or  not,  I no\v 
proceed  to  take  up  the  subject. 

In  endeavoring  to  remove  the  pre- 
judices from  the  minds  of  the  people, 


I 9 J 


I shall  have  to  answer  the  charges  ex- 
hibited against  those  who  oppose  the 
mission  system.  I am  informed  we 
are  charged  with  the  following  accu- 
sations. 

1.  That  We  are  opposed  to  the 
spread  of  the  gospel,  among  tiie  hea- 
k thens.  To  this  I answer,  we  are  plea- 
\ed  with  the  spread  and  growth  nl  ltl- 
/nanuel’s  Uingdom  througiioiit  the 
world.  But  we  wish  it  under  his  di- 
rection and  government,  and  crown 
him  with  the  glory,  which  we  believe 
is  not  tile  case  in  the  mission  plan. 

2 We  are  charged  with  opposing 
.the  translation  of  the  scriptures,  and 
the  education  of  the  heathens.  To 
this  I answer  the  charge  is  incorrect, 
for  we  oppose  neither ; but  will 
help  with  heart  and  hand  if  it  could 
be  tai^en  in  a proper  manner,  and  take 
I the  evils  from  it. 

I 3 We  are  charged  with  holding  a 
1 tyrannical  principle,  inasmuch  as  we 
are  not  reconciled  to  our  brethren  in 
i their  giving  their  money  to  the  miss^ 


2 


I 


[ >0  1 

ion  system,  and  the  argument  is,  that 
they  have  a right  to  do  what  they 
please  with  their  own,  and  we  would 
bind  them  down  that  they  should  not 
have  liberty  to  bestow  their  money  to 
the  relief  of  any  of  their  fellow  mor- 
tals, whatever.  To  this  I answer, 
as  to  the  bestowing  your  money  to  i 
relieve  the  needy  in  a point  of  moral 
duty,  we  believe  is  performing  good 
works,  and  we  truly  wish  such  good 
works  were  more  common  among 
the  Baptists.  Bat  as  to  a professor 
being  at  liberty  to  do  what  he  pleases 
with  his  own  in  all  cases  without  be- 
ing accountable  to  the  church,  is  a ve-  ^ 
I'y  absurd  idea.  I ask  would  you  be 
willing  that  your  brethren  should 
gamble  on  his  money,  or  even  lend  it 
to  a gambler  for  that  purpose  ; or  give 
it  to  the  priest  to  forgive  his  sins, or  to 
the  worship  of  idols,  or  in  many  other 
cases  too  tedious  to  mention.  I think 
tlie  spirit  of  religion  saith  not  willing  : 
Just  so  if  the  mission  system  be  an  e- 
vil,  and  God  has  never  required  it  at 


L 11  ■] 

your  hands  to  give  the  blessings 
has  bestowed  on  you  to  support  an 
unscriptural  plan,  that  is  repugnant  to 
his  gospel  government.  Then  we 
are  no  tyrants,  but  have  a right  to  deal 
with  you  as  violaters  of  the  govern- 
ment of  Christ. 

4.  It  is  said  by  some,  that  the  Wa-  + 
bash  Association  had  no  right  to  in- 
terfere witli  the  mission  system,  in  the 
way  she  did  ; or  did  not  understand 
what  she  was  doing  To  this  I an- 
swer, the  Wabash  Association  well 
understood  what  she  was  doing,  and 
had  an  undoubted  right  to  make  head 
against  the  progress  of  hetei  edox  prin- 
ciples or  disorderly  practice.  And  if 
the  mission  principle  and  practice  is 
not  agreeable  to  the  law  and  the  tes- 
timony,  then  it  is  to  be  damHcd. 
lleteredox  principle  and^ disorderly’^’ 
practice — these  charges,  with  many 
other  similar  ones.are  very  improper- 
ly stated  in  order  to  weaken  the  con- 
fidence of  the  people  in  our  objec- 
tions  against  the  mission  system,  and 


C } 

by  this  means  practice  fraud  on  the 
minds  of  the  public,  by  unfaii  argu- 
ments, grounded  on  false  charges  — 
Jiut  I hope  when  the  public  are  in- 
formed ot  the  intrigue,  their  prejudi- 
ces will  be  broke  that  was  against  ns, 
and  they  will  come  fairly  to  the  truth 
and  give  due  weight  to  our  argu- 
ments. 

1 now  proceed  to  the  second  thing 
proposed,  which  is  to  shew  what  part 
of  the  mission  object  we  oppose,  and 
wdiat  part  we  are  willing  to  support. 

We  stand  opposed  to  the  mission 
plan  in  every  point  and  part  wi.ere  it 
interferes  or  is  connected  with  the 
ministry,  either  in  depending  on  the 
church  to  give  them  a cal!,  or  semi- 
naries of  learning  to  qualify  them  to 
preach,  or  an  established  iund  lor  the 
preacher  to  look  back  upon  for  a sup- 
port, and  when  the  board  assumes  au- 
thority to  appoint  the  fields  of  their 
labor,  w'e  belie\  e they  sin  in  attcmjit- 
ing  a work  that  alone  belongs  to  the 
Divine  JBciiig.  Consequently  we 


C 13  ] 

are  not  reconciled  to  the  unfruitful 
works  of  darkness  but  feel  it  our  du- 
ty to  reprieve  them,  and  as  to  the  ex- 
travagant plan  of  translating  the  bible 
and  civilizing  of  the  Indians,  we 
could  bear  with  it,  if  it  was  not  under 
the  sacred  name  of  religion  ; but  we 
believe  as  paper,  types,  and  the  labor 
of  men.  all  cost  money,  and  belong  to 
the  t: lings  of  nature,  that  it  should  be 
conducted  under  the  direction  of  mo- 
ral government,  and  not  at  the  ex- 
pense of  religion  ; and  as  to  educating 
the  heathen,  vve  think  it  very  improp- 
er  for  to  establish  missionary  families^ 
securing  the  rights  of  flocks  and 
herds,  farms  and  incomes,  all  under 
the  color  of  religion.  It  seems  like 
making  the  sacred  character  of  reli- 
gion no  greater  tlian  the  merchandize 
of  this  world,  and  putting  it  in  a long 
line  of  trade  and  traffic,  when  the  col- 
onization of  the  heathens  ought  to  be 
conducted  under  the  direction  of  our 
civil  government,  ora  society  formed 
for  that  express  purpose,  not  under 


L u 3 

the  character  of  any  society  of  reli  • 
gion  whatever.  But  we  rejoice  at  all 
good  that  is  done  in  translating  the 
bible,  or  educating  the  heathens  and 
are  willing  to  give  our  aid  in  counsel, 
or  money,  provided  it  can  be  done 
and  not  dishonor  the  cause  of  religion. 
So  you  may  see  we  are  not  opposers 
of  the  translating  of  the  bible,  nor  ed- 
ucating tlie  heathens,  but  we  think 
there  could  be  a better  plan  fallen  on 
and  not  mingle  matters  of  religion 
with  the  things  of  this  world.  But 
the  object  of  missionary  societies  in 
respect  to  the  ministiy,  we  are  oppos- 
ed to  in  every  point,  and  our  reasons 
will  be  more  fully  understood  before 
we  are  done  ; so  I shall  go  on  to  tiic 
third  thing  proposed  ; (Note,  when 
I use  the  word  “ we,”  I include  my- 
self with  the  common  objections  of 
those  who  stand  opposed  to  the  miss- 
ion plan.)  which  is  to  understand 
what  the  Baptist  Board  intends  to  do 
from  the  face  of  their  Constitution 
and  prove  it  by  their  doctrine  and 


L i 

practice.  The  reason  I take  up  this 
point,  the  principles  of  the  board  is 
denied  by  numbers  who  are  engaged 
in  the  practice,  and  it  is  often  smooth- 
ed over  and  the  true  meaning  not  ad- 
mitted ; by  these  means  the  ignorant 
are  drawn  in  to  support  those  errors 
which  they  otherwise  would  not  do. 
The  points  often  denied,  are,  that  the 
board  does  not  dame  the  government 
of  the  ministry  .or  hiring  preachers  & 
sending  them  out.  These  points  I 
shall  attempt  to  prove  by  their  own 
principles  and  practice,  which  I think 
Avill  not  be  denied  by  any  candid 
mind,  if  they  understand  words;  if 
they  wmII  but  reflect  one  minute  on 
the  exalted  title  they  are  pleased  to  be 
known!  by  which  is  the  Baptist  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions  for  the  United 
States  of  America.  I ask  what  are 
w'e  to  understand  by  the  word  mis- 
sionary ; is  it  not  designed  to  convey, 
to  our  understanding  a mission  given^ 
and  alone  belongs  to  the  ministry, 
when  spoken  of  relative  to  religion. 


[ 16  -J 

Then  by  the  title  they  bear,  we  un- 
derstand a society  formed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  sending  the  ministry  to  foreign 
parts.  There  is  one  thing  now  I wish 
to  notice  in  the  title  they  bear,  where 
they  claim  their  authority  of  the  for- 
eign ministry  for  the  United  States  of 
America  This  evidently  proves  they 
claim  the  gover-nment  of  the  ministry 
and  consequently  ar  r ests  the  govern- 
ment and  authority  Christ  gave  his 
church  ; for  the  fii  st  ar  ticle  of  the 
constitution  cites  them  to  the  general 
missionary  convention  for  the  Baptist 
denomination  in  the  United  States  of 
Amer  ica,  for  foreign  missions.  Here 
they  liave  claimed  the  Baptist  name 
and  authoritv^vhich  the  Baptist  un- 
ion or  government  has  never  authoi'- 
ized  them  to  do,  and  in  the  13th  arti- 
cle claim  the  authority  of  domestic 
mi«;sions  in  our  own  country  ; but  if 
we  will  notice  the  4th  ar  ticle,  we  will 
find  they  do  not  only  claim  the  pow- 
er*, but  deem  it  their  duty  to  employ 
missionaries,  by  which  I understand 


[ 17  1 

preachers,  and  take  measures  if  neces- 
sary, fur  tlie  further  inipro\emeiii  of 
tlieir  qualifieatiuns,  and  fix  on  the 
field  of  tlieir  labors  ; also  on  tlie  com- 
pensation to  be  allowed  them  tor  their 
services.  V\  liat  are  vve  to  undersland 
the  convention  means  in  this  article, 
or  shall  w e say  tliey  did  not  under- 
stand the  meaning  of  these  words  ; no 
they  are  men  that  understand  tlie 
grammatic  al  sense  of  these  w ords.  ^ 
Well,  shall  we  tnink  they  intended  to 
impose  them  on  us  thinking  w^e  would 
nut  know  what  tl;ey  meant ; I w ould 
fain  hope  not  ; but  then  why  not  the 
meaning  of  these  words  be  freely  ac- 
knowledged, for  when  they  say  to 
employ  missionaries,  do  we  not  un- 
derstand to  hire  preachers.  Yes,  we 
are  obliged  to  understand  that,  espe- 
cially when  they  have  to  agree  on  the 
compensation  for  their  services,  for  if 
I get  only  one  meal  a day  for  my  ser  - 
vices, it  is  so  far  a part  of  the  pay  for 
my  labor  ; then  I must  be  an  hiieiing 
altho’Iwork  for  little.  Well,  who 
3 


C 18  J 

has  hired  or  employed  me  ? The 
board;  Where  will  I get  my  pay; 
from  the  board  I look  to  for  it,  for 
they  have  employed  me,  and  appoin- 
ted the  field  of  my  labors  ; I am  un- 
der their  government  and  direction. 
Well,  what  has  the  board  got  to  pay 
a man  for  preaching  ? are  they  better 
off  than  the  wise  virgins;  have  they 
got  any  oil  to  spare?  I trow  not;  then 
it  must  be  money  or  something  of 
* this  world’s  goods  to  pay  me  for  prea- 
ching. I ask  who  has  the  right  to  ap- 
point the  fields  of  the  labors  of  the 
preacher?  certainly  the  authority  that 
has  employed  him.  Well  then,  the 
; board,  acts  consistent  with  their  prin- 

]■  ciple,  for  they  have  employed  preach- 

]■  ers  and  sent  them  out.  and  pay  them 

, for  their  labors,  and  to  the  Rev,  Lu- 

I ther  Rice,  as  high  as  eight  dollars  a 

^ week,  besides  his  travelling  expenses, 

f so  I hope  the  mission  friends  will  no 

e longer  deny  this  truth,  but  defend  the 

I]  cause  of  the  principal,  or  forsake  its 

evil. 


[ 19  1 

The  principles  of  the  board  are  fur- 
ther understood  by  the  14th  article  of 
the  constitution.  In  this  article  as 
well  as  some  others,  it  goes  to  prove 
they  believe  education  essential  to  the  ^ 
gospel  ministry,  and  their  practice  in 
the  urgent  resolutions  entered  into  in 
the  Latter  Day  Luminary,  No.  5,  pa- 
ges  234  and  35,  goes  to  prove  the  fact, 
for  in  those  resolutions  they  have  re- 
solved to  divide  America,  in  three 
sections,  and  two  men  in  each  district 
appointed  to  receive  contributions, 
and  to  attend  the  business  under  the 
control  of  the  board  Here  we  find  , 
the  Baptist  has  urged  us  to 

form  auxiliary  societies.  What  is 
this  great  exertion  for  ? It  is  to  give 
pious  young  men  education  to  quali- 
fy them  to  preach.  This  pointedly 
proves  their  principle  is  not  only  to 
educate  preachers,  but  hold  the  go- 
vernment of  the  ministry  in  their  own 
hands.  Many  other  facts  might  be 
refeu’ed  to,  but  this  is  sufficient  to  the 
point  in  hand  ; but  there  is  one  thing 


[ 20  ] 

more  observable  in  the  mission  prin- 
ciple which  1 think  ought  not  to  es- 
cape the  notice  of  the  Baptists  and 
that  is,  they  prove  to  us  by  theii  wri- 
tings that  it  is  the  business  of  the 
churches  to  impress  on  tl.e  minds  of 
their  pious  young  men  to  prcacii  the 
gospel,  or  call  them  to  the  v.  (ak  ; al- 
tho’  tliey  say  in  one  piare,  it  is  tiie 
Holy  Gliost  that  mahcs  us  able  min- 
isters of  the  new  testament.  But  in 
this  constitution  they  only  claim  gifts 
ai'.d  graces  to  introduce  them  to  the 
seminaries  of  learning  I ask,  may 
not  man  possess  all  these  and  } et  ne- 
ver be  called  of  God  to  preach  the 
gospel?  And  further,  in  uiging  th.e 
necessity  of  supplying  the  world  with 
preachers,  it  appears  their  eye  is  on 
the  churches  to  call  them  to  the  w’ork 
of  the  ministry,  which  may  be  obser- 
ved in  the  following  remarks  made 
by  them  in  the  Latter  Hay  Li:min- 
ary,  No.  6,  page  2t?l.  'I’his  remark 
is,  ‘ if  Christian  teachers  are  to  be  sent 
forth,  it  is  obvious  that  the  Christian 


r 21  ] 

churches  must  send  them.”  In  the 
same  No.  page  2b4,  they  say,  they 
take  it  for  granted,  that  in  all  Chris- 
tendom, there  are  not  le>s  than  tliirty 
thousat  d suitable  young  men.  that 
might  be  called  to  this  work.  In  page 
2 '5,  tney  say  it  is  granted  that  tliere 
are  suitable  men  enough,  if  they  were 
disposed  to  go,  and  the  churches  were 
able  to  send  them  to  the  work.  In 
page  290  tney  say  to  the  churches  it 
beio.t-s  to  move  forward  it  is  for 
them  to  inijilore  the  guidance  and 
blessings  of  the  Lord.it  is  for  them  to 
seek  out  and  call  forth  the  messengers 
of  salvation,  &c.  Also,  in  Uie  first 
page  cited  to,  they  tell  us,  it  is  the  du- 
ty of  Christians  to  send  .orth  preachers 
of  the  gospel,  in  sucii  numbers  as  to 
furtiiaii  the  means  of  instruction  to 
the  whole  world.  Many  other  simi- 
lar passages  might  be  lefened  to,  but 
it  is  unnecessaiy.  for  these  remarks 
eviden'ly  goes  to  prove,  to  call  or 
send  forth  preachers,  they  deem  it  the 
wofiC  and  business  of  the  cliiirch,  I 


L 22  ] 

ask  my  baptist  brethren  to  realize  this 
principle  and  ask  their  bible  and  their 
iiearts,  if  they  dare  believe  that  God 
ha>  ever  called  on  the  Christian  world 
to  look  out,  call,  quality  and  send  out 
preachei  s of  the  gospel  ; or  has  he  re- 
served that  work  to  himself,  and  will 
fulfil  it  in  his  own  time  and  way.  I 
now  pass  on  to  the  fourth  point  in 
hand,  which  is  to  take  notice  of  or 
examine  the  most  common  evidences 
introduced  to  support  the  mission 
plan.  In  this  there  are  three  points  to 
be  observed 

].  Tiie  scripture  they  introduce  to 
justify  them  in  qualifying.scnding  out 
and  supporting  the  missionaries. 

2.  Tile  evidences  that  justify  them 
in  their  plan  foi'  collecting  money  in 
the  manner  they  do.  and  keeping  an 
cstabiisiicd  fund  for  that  purpose. 

3 The  riglit  of  the  titles  and  names 
of  th.e  'offu'ers  in  the  mission  system. 

Snt  the  first  point  named  is  the 
most  important  matter  to  be  consid- 
ered ; for  if  I am  right  wiien  I say 


I 

I C 33  1 

■ I the  mission  system  has  neither  precept 
nor  example  to  justify  its  principle 
fj  and  practice,  and  those  scriptures  in- 
i' troduced  cannot  support  it  ; then  the 
•'  error  must  be  great  in  the  mission 
f'  plan  and  ought  to  be  rejected,  for  on 
f,  this  hangs  the  whole  point.  It  is  to 
I the  law  and  testimony,  for  if  they 
i speak  not  according  to  this,  it  is  be- 
cause there  is  no  light  in  them  ; for 
we  have  a right  to  reject  men  or  an- 
gels that  bring  any  other  gospel  than 
that  which  is  already  brought.  But 
to  the  reverse,  if  I am  wrong  and  the 
mission  plan  is  right,  then  I am  in  an 
awful  error,  and  should  be  withstood. 
So  we  agree  the  bible  is  the  standard, 
and  to  it  we  will  go.  I shall  in  order 
to  be  short  and  well  understood. plain- 
ly give  my  own  views  on  the  scrip- 
tures, as  I bring  them  in,  as  well  as  to 
shew  what  the  friends  of  the  mission 
system  aim  to  prove  by  them.  I shall 
begin  with  Jonah's  being  sent  to  INin- 
eveh.  This  part  of  scripture  is  intro- 
duced by  the  friends  of  the  mission 


C 24  3 

system  to  justify  them  in  sending 
preachers  to  the  heathens,  as  it  is  said. 
This  is  the  first  account  of  an  He- 
brew teacher  being  sent  to  the  Gen- 
tiles ; this  text  is  intended  to  justify 
the  missionary  society  in  sending  out 
preachers.  We  will  now  examine  and 
see  if  it  will  answer  the  purpose.  We 
find  this  was  a special  act  of  God  in 
sending  Jonah  to  Ninev'eh,  and  tliat 
not  by  or  througli  a missionary  soci- 
ety ^stands  a very  pointed  evidence  in 
my  fivor,^*^ against  themselves, unless 
the  mission  society  will  say  they  are 
acting  as  God,  in  sending  out  preach- 
ers, asid  S hope  this  they  will  not  say. 
Notice  Jonah  was  not  sent  to  a semi- 
nary of  learning  to  prepare  him  to 
preach  to  them  gentiles,  but  Was  un- 
der the  tuition  and  special  order  of 
his  God,  and  was  in  no  case  under  t!ie 
order  or  direction  of  any  body  of 
men  whatever  ; neither  did  he  look 
back  to  a society  formed  to  raise  mo- 
ney for  his  support.  So  we  find  this 
text  will  not  answer  the  missionary 


L 25  ] 

jni  rpose  but  contracts  guilt  on  tli€ir 
own  heads  ; and  whenever  quoted  by 
them,  instead  of  justifying  their  sys- 
tem, only  proves  they  assume  the  au- 
thority of  a God.  And  the  same 
may  be  said  by  every  text  they  draft 
to  answer  their  purpose  ; and  instead 
of  being  angry  like  Jonah,  (as  some 
say  we  are  in  a gospel  sense,)  we  are 
hurt  with  our  dear  brethren  for  at- 
tempting a work  that  alone  belongs 
to  the  great  God  ; that  is,  to  employ 
preachers, qualify  them  and  send  them 
out,  and  fix  on  the  field  of  their  labors. 
I now  go  on  to  the  mission  evidence. 

The  covenant  of  grace  that  God 
made  known  to  Abraham  when  he 
rddhim,  in  his  seed  all  the  nations 
of  the  earth  should  be  blessed  This 
text  is  brought  to  justify  t!.e  mission 
plan  in  sending  the  gospel  to  all  na- 
tions in  order  to  secure  that  blessine: 
t o tlicm  Here  I wish  to  obsen  e we 

can  jv)in  our  prayers  with  our  brcih- 
ren  at  a thro-nc  of  grace,  that  tl'.e 
kingdom  of  Christ  may  come,  and 
4 


L 26  3 

his  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in 
heaven,  and  the  whole  world  be  filled 
with  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  king- 
dom of  this  world  become  the  king- 
dom of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ  ; 
but  we  cannot  join  them  in  piescri- 
bing a plan  for  the  sovereign  of  the  u- 
ni verse,  and  begging  him  to  work  that 
way ; for  as  to  the  heathen  nations 
having  the  gospel  preached  to  them, 
we  have  no  doubt  but  it  will  be  done, 
for  God  has  said  so  ; but  as  to  the 
mission  plan  to  accomplish  the  object 
God’s  word  knows  nothing  of  such 
u plan— lor  in  the  last  quoted  text  as 
to  the  covenant  of  grace,  Abiaham 
had  no  knowledge  that  a semiiiary  of 
learning  or  a missionary  society  for- 
med, (independent  of  the  church,) 
\A  as  essentia!  to  accomplish  the  wot  k; 
but  it  is  evident  that  after  our  Lord 
had  rose  from  the  dead,  and  God  was 
about  to  bleak  down  the  middle  \vall 
of  parlitioi^  between  tlie  Jen  s and  the 
Gentiles,  and  make  ol' twain,  one  new 
mantolhe  praise  of  his  glory &:!aytlic 


[ 27  1 

foundation  of  the  gospel  faith  through 
out  the  world,  and  build  his  church 
1 on  the  rock,  that  the  gates  of  hell 
I should  not  prevail  against  it ; he  gave 
I hisdisciplestheircommissionto  preach 
i the  gospel  throughout  the  world  : — 

1 Here  my  brethren  attached  to  the 
1 mission  plan  lay  their  main  stress  on 
' this  command  C hrist  gave  his  preach  • v 
ers.  and  claim  it  as  fully  authorising 
them  to  pursue  the  mission  system 
now  prescribed.  Stop  here.  O my 
breth:  en  & pause ; was  this  a mission- 
ary society  gave  this  command,  or  is 
it  the  command  of  our  Kmg  and 
King  of  Zion,  or  was  there  a mis- 
|.  sionary  society  independent  of  the 
! church  to  send  them  and  fix  on  the 
field  of  their  labors,  and  support  them, 
or  a seminary  of  Icai’ning  lay  between 
I those  disciples  and  the  place  their 
! Lord  was  about  to  send  them ; if  there 
were  anv  of  those  things,  where  are 
these  texts  ; they  will  do  you  some 
' good;  if  you  cannot  find  them,  then 
the  others  stand  pointed  against  you, 

I 


[ ^8  1 

ft)r  we  are  under  the  same  dispensa^ 
tion  or  commission  to  this  day  ; for 
the  commission  or  command  that 
Christ  gave  his  disciples  in  preaching 
tlie  gospel,  plainly  manifests  his  au- 
thorit}',  power  and  wisdom  in  accom- 
plishing the  work  of  salvation 
thi  oughout  the  woild,  agreeable  to 
his  own  council,  and  admits  of  no  al- 
teration. So  1 still  say  whenever  the 
advocates  of  ti’.e  mission  system 
forces  in  these  scriptures  to  justify 
themselves  in  that  work,  just  so  far 
they  introduce  evidence  to  prove 
themselves  acting  in  the  place  of  God; 
to  look  out,  employ,  qualify  and  send 
out  preachers  of  tl,c  gospel,  and  fix  on  ‘ 
the  field  of  their  labors,  and  compen- 
sate them  for  their  services.  Tlie 
next  passage  to  be  noticed  is  about  to 
the  .°ame  amount,  and  the  same  reply 
might  be  made  to  It  which  is  in  tb.c 
y,  13th  chapter  of  Acts,  where  the  Holy 
Ghost  saiih,  separate  me  Paul  and 
Ilarnabas,  to  the  work  w hereunto  I 
iia\  e called  thicm.  ^i'his  text  will  do 


r ] 

the  mission  friends  no  good  unless 
they  will  say  they  are  acting  as  God, 
or  in  the  place  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in 
sending  out  preachers.  But  this  texi 
shews  two  things  ; First,  just  whai 
Christ  told  his  disciples  the  Holy 
Ghost  would  do  when  it  was  come, 
that  it  should  guide  them  into  all  truth 
and  bring  all  tiungs  to  their  remem- 
brance that  he  had  said  unto  tliem. — ^ 
Secondly,  shews  the  order  of  God  in 
his  church,  and  the  union  that  exists 
between  Christ  and  his  church  ; first 
his  calling  his  preachers  to  the  work, 
and  then  the  church,  (not  a missiona- 
ry society,)  sending  them  out  in  gos- 
pel order  to  preach  and  administer  the 
ordinances  of  the  gospel  that  all 
things  might  be  done  decently  and  in 
order,  which  only  goes  to  shew  the 
propriety  of  ordainiiig  preachers  to 
the  work  ; font  is  called  the  spirit  sen- 
ding tlicm.  When  the  church  or  dis- 
ciples h.ad  fasted  and  prayed, tliey  sent 
them  away,  and  they  went  as  they 
were  directed  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 


[ 30  1 

and  not  by  a mission  society  ; Now 
this  text  can  have  no  allusion  to  the 
present  plan  of  the  mission  society,  as 
we  have  no  account  of  a seminary  of 
learning  for  them  to  go  through,  nor 
an  established  fund  to  look  back  at 
for  a support  No,  they  depended  on 
the  Lord  for  their  support,  knowing 
the  laborer  was  worthy  of  his  iiire, 
and  no  doubt  they  believed  like  some 
of  us,  that  whereever  God  sent  his 
gospel,  he  would  send  his  spirit  with 
his  ministers,  or  before  them,  and  it 
would  produce  a willingness  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people  to  support  the 
gospel,  like  he  did  when  he  sent  Peter 
to  Cornelius  and  Paul  to  the  Gen- 
tiles ; and  if  so  there  is  no  need  of  sen- 
ding money  aftci-  them,  for  even  the 
church  at  Phillippi.  that  adnnni^tered 
to  Paul’s  relief,  was  of  the  Gentiles, 
wliich  text  is  often  brought  to  justify 
the  mission  conduct  in  their  plan  of 
supporting  the  miiiistry  ; hut  I iiope 
it  will  be  rcmern!)ei-ed  that  I do  not 
look  at  tile  boai’d  of  missions  holding 


t 3>  J 

the  power  or  authority  of  a church 
as  such  ; no  point  of  scripture  that 
goes  to  shew  tlie  act,  power  or  author- 
ity of  the  cliui  ch  is  not  admitted  as 
evidences  in  ti  eii  favor;  consequently 
this  text  will  not  answ'er  their  purpose 
as  it  w as  a church  act,  or  an  act  of 
some  of  the  hretl>ren  in  the  time  of 
some  paiticular  need  and  was  not  go- 
vei  l ’d  by  any  precious  contract  made 
b(  ween  them  1 might  go  on  to  an- 
swer a number  of  other  texts  on  this 
point,  but  they  are  all  to  the  same  a- 
moimt  and  to  be  answered  in  like 
manner.  So  ! shah  proceed  to  the 
second  point  iii  (liis  head  which  is  to 
notice  their  aniborit}^  in  collecting  of 
money,  tvh.icli  is  the  22d  ciiap  of  2d 
Kings,  and  24t;'i  and  84th  c! winters  of 
2:!  Chronicles,  where  w e have  the  ac- 
count oi’lhe  collections  of  money  for 
the  nurpose  of  lehuilding  the  temple, 
or  icpairir.g’  the  i'lniise  of  Gnd. 

I mu'^t  suy  there  are  no  greater cv- 
idenci  s to  pem  e the  falsehoi'd  of  any 
syslehi,  than  to  find  its  advocates  put 


I 


L S2  3 

to  the  pitiful  shift  to  force  in  evidence 
that  has  no  allusion  to  the  point  — 
Just  so  the  friends  of  the  mission  plan 
force  in  these  scriptures  through  ne- 
cessity ; tor  if  you  say  these  work- 
men engaged  in  repairing  the  temple, 
stand  as  figures  of  the  gospel  minis- 
ters, I presume  you  dare  not  say  the 
money  that  was  given  these  work- 
men,  stands  as  a figure  of  the  money 
you  give  your  preachers  you  send  ; 
for  if  you  do,  you  will  then  acknowl- 
edge you  look  at  the  money  as  the  re- 
al cause  of  men’s  salvation  ; but  you 
must  say  the  money  they  icceived 
stands  as  a figure  of  the  preachers  le- 
waid,  which  is  evidently  the  answer 
of  a good  conscience  tow  ards  God 
and  man,  as  they  fircach  the  gospel 
not  for  filthy  lucres  sake,  but  with  a 
ready  mind,  and  seeing  souls  fiOcking 
to  God,  which  is  better  than  gold. and 
you  must  say  ih.e  money  th;ey  receiv- 
ed for  their  labor  was  not  designed  to 
qnaiiry  them  to  dvi  .t'n.c  \voik.  hut  to 
ic\\  a:d  llicni  fur  their  tei'/icts  ; but 


[ 3 

if  you  say  the  money  you  collect  is 
not  to  qualify  the  preachers  you  send, 
but  reward  them  for  their  labors,  then 
you  will  confess  that  money  is  the  ob- 
ject in  view.  But  we  find  that  agree- 
able to  the  mission  plan,  that  some  of 
the  money  you  collect,  is  designed  to 
qualify  the  preachers  as  well  as  re- 
ward them  for  their  labors  ; so  turn 
it  which  way  you  will,  it  will  not  fit 
your  case,  and  the  collection  of  mon- 
ey  on  the  mission  plan  must  fall  when 
rightly  tried  by  these  scriptures,  as. 
those  collections  of  money  were  for 
the  express  purpose  of  repairing  the 
temple  and  could  not  tolerate  us  fur- 
ther than  public  collections  for  build- 
inu  meeting  houses.  I come  now  to 
the  third  pomt,  that  is  to  say  some- 
thing about  officers  or  titles  of  com- 
mission ; but  as  this  is  a matter  of 
small  moment,  1 shall  say  but  little  a- 
bout  it ; but  the  same  chapters  refer- 
red to  above,  is  brought  in  this  case. 
But  as  the  collection  of  money  falls 
when  tried  by  these  scriptures,  so  all 
5 


I 34  3 

the  titles  or  names  of  commissions 
will  fall  with  it,  but  the  book  of  Dan- 
iel is  referred  to,  to  justify  the  title 
President,  which  I conceive  doth  not 
only  belong  to  national  affairs  but  un- 
der the  tyranny  of  an  heathen  king» 
and  when  professors  of  religion  give 
way  to  the  spirit  of  nature  and  are 
pleased  with  the  names  of  honor  from 
the  world,  it  is  time  to  say  take  care 
for  Israel  following  after  the  heathen 
idolatry,  was  the  cause  of  her  captiv- 
ity ; so  I leave  the  public  now  to 
judge,  whether  the  principle  and  prac- 
tice of  the  mission  system,  is  proven 
and  justified  by  these  evidences  or 
not,  and  pass  on  to  the  next  point  in 
hand,  which  is  the  Fifth — 

Agreeable  to  arrangement  which  is 
to  try  the  principle  and  practice  of 
the  board  in  pending  out  preachers,  by 
the  principle  and  practice  of  Christ 
and  his  apostles.  On  this  point  I 
shall  be  short  and  plain  ; still,  I shall 
find  it  recessary  to  take  notice  of 
some  of  their  reasonings  on  the  mat 


L ^ '5  3 

ter,  and  answer  them.  My  object 
here,  is  to  shew  that  the  principle  and 
practice  of  the  mission  system  is  ac- 
cording to  tne  spirit  of  this  world,  and 
not  according  to  the  spirit  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  the  best  method  to  try  this, 
is  to  come  plainly  to  the  word  of  God 
as  the  sure  rule  of  both  faith  and  praci 
tice-  The  mission  advocates  say  their 
principle  is  good,  because  it  is  to  send 
the  gospel  to  the  heathens,  and  by 
that  means  have  heirs  of  glory  begoti 
ten  : Just  so  I might  say,  my  neigh- 
bor or  friend  is  very  wealthy  and 
wants  an  heir  very  bad,  and  I view- 
ing his  wealth,  and  how  happy  his 
heir  would  be  with  his  anxiety  to  di- 
vide his  happiness  with  bis  heir. — 
W ould  it  not  be  a good  principle  to 
wish  he  had  an  heir  ? Yes ; but  a most 
horrid  act  for  me  to  attempt  to  be- 
come the  lather.  Just  so  we  all  agree 
the  object  is  good,  and  we  can  truly 
say,  O that  the  heathens  were  all 
saints  ; but  for  us  to  step  in  the  place 
of  God  to  send  means  to  accomplish 


C 26  ] 

the  birth  of  these  heirs  must  be  hor- 
rid and  wicked,/  Just  so  if  the  mis- 
sion system  is  not  compatible  with 
tlie  word  of  God  and  they  are  attemp- 
ting a work  tliat  God  has  reserved  to 
himself,  and  claims  all  the  glory — 
Then  they  should  be  boldly  with- 
^t^iod,  notwithstanding  their  wisdom 
and  zeal,  for  I have  thought  that  their 
zeal  is  something  like  old  Sarah’s  was 
when  the  Lord  had  promisedthe  birth 
of  an  heir,  she  became  so  restless  and 
was  so  anxious,  that  she  could  not 
wait  for  the  Lord  to  bring  it  about  a- 
greeable  to  his  own  purpose,  but  must 
give  her  handmaid  to  lier  l.us- 
band.  But  still,  notwithstanding  ail 
it  was  an  Ishmaclite,  and  was  n.  t 
the  heir  as  God  designed,  and  there 
has  been  a constant  \\ar  ever  since, 
between  the  children  of  the  bond  wo- 
man, and  of  the  free.  Just  so  it  seems 
the  mission  friends,  as  God  has  prom- 
ised the  birth  of  the  heathens,  tliey 
have  become  so  anxious  they  cannot 
waa  for  God  to  bring  it  about,  but 


r sr  1 

turn  in  at  it  themselves,  gives  their 
handmaid,  that  is,  their  money  and 
wisdom — bestow  it  on  preachers  of 
their  own  appointing,  and  what  will 
be  the  consequence  God  only  knows, 
but  I fear  an  aw.ul  war,  between  the 
families,  both  parents  and  children — 
And  I wish  you  to  notice  the  awful 
consequence  of  the  great  regard  that 
Uzzi  had  for  tne  ark  of  the  Lord, 
when  the  cart  was  jostleing  which 
caused  him  to  put  forth  his  hand  as 
tho’  it  was  to  be  supported  by  the  arm 
of  flesn  ; altno’  tlie  object  seems  good, 
yet  the  principle  was  so  bad,  it  cost 
him  his  life.  Ho  it  seems  the  mission 
friends  are  putting  forth  the  arm  of 
iiesh  to  support  the  ark  of  the  cove- 
nant.  and  I liave  but  little  doubt  as 
striking  to  our  hearts  as  it  may  be, 
but  it  will  without  a recantation  cost 
them  their  life  in  the  Baptist  union. 
Remember  the  stranoe  fire  that  the 
sacrifice  was  offered  \n  ith,  altho’  on 
the  altar  of  the  Lord,  yet  it  cost  Xa- 
dab  and  Abihu  their  lives.  I might 


C 3 

make  many  remarks  here,  but  I must 
come  close  to  the  point  in  hand,  the 
dilference  between  the  plan  of  Christ 
and  his  apostles  in  the  speed  of  the 
gospel,  and  the  plan  proposed  by  the 
mission  system,  both  in  the  qualifica- 
tion of  the  ministry,  and  Ib.e  preach- 
ers being  sent  out  to  preach,  and  their 
support.  The  mission  society  seems 
in  their  constitution  to  claim  the  right 
toqualify  pious  young  men, who  have 
gilts  and  graces,  by  conferring  with 
flesh  and  blood,  that  is.  to  give  them 
the  wisdom  of  this  world  by  sending 
tliem  to  a seminary  of  learning,  for  I 
have  not  as  yet  known  a school  set 
up  in  this  world  to  teach  people  the 
gift  of  God’s  grace,  except  it  is  the 
gift  of  God’s  spirit  in  his  church,  and 
tnat  agreeable  to  his  Avord,  and  that 
teaches  us  a different  plan.  ?sotice 
the  mission  society  do  not  require  a 
call  to  the  work,  only  gifts  and  graces, 
and  what  sort  them  are  we  must 
guess  at.  Bet  Christ  when  he  Avas 
about  to  send  out  preachers,  he  call- 


r 39  ] 

ed  them,  whether  they  had  learning  or 
not,  and  gives  us  no  account  tltat  a 
seminary  of  learning  was  essential  to 
tile  ministry  : And  old  Paul  tells 
us  when  it  pleased  God  to  call  him, 
he  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood 
and  that  he  never  sought  it  of  man, 
neither  did  he  obtain,  but  by  the  rev. 
elation  of  Jesus  Christ ; and  thebible 
tells  ns,  if  any  man  lack  wisdom,  let 
him  ask  of  God.  And  Paul  brings 
us  to  view  our  calling,  by  telling  us 
we  sec  our  calling  brethren  that  not 
many  wise,  that  not  many  noble  af- 
ter the  flesli  are  called  Let  me  ob- 
serve here,  I have  thought  the  mission 
system  are  about  to  give  old  Paul  the 
do  Ige  here,  for  it  seem^  that  if  they 
are  not  wise  and  noble  when  they  are 
called,  they  intend  to  make  them  wise 
and  noble  before  they  send  them  out. 
But  God  takes  tlie  wise  in  their  own 
craftiness,  and  Christ  rejoiced  that  it 
was  the  pleasure  of  the  Father  to  hide 
these  things  from  the  prudent  and  the 
wise,  and  reveal  them  unto  babes.  I 


[ 4b  1 

• f 

could  quote  many  similar  texts,  and 
quote  chapter  and  verse;  but  it  would 
be  more  tedious  and  you  can  search 
them  at  your  leisure,  and  I hope  my 
readers  will  still  remember  that  when 
he  fPaul ) came  to  preach  to  his  bre- 
thren, that  he  did  not  come  with  the 
words  of  man’s  wisdom,  but  by  the 
revelation  of  Jesus  Christ.  And  a- 
gain,  the  wisdom  of  this  world  w as 
foolishness  with  God, and  if  he  sought 
to  please  man,  he  was  not  the  servant 
of  God;  and  he  that  is  a friend  to 
the  world,  is  an  enemy  to  God  : So 
we  see  the  apostles  had  not  only  no 
idea  that  the  wisdom  of  this  world 
qualified  them  to  preach  but  seem  to 
stand  opposed  to  such  measures  as 
well  as  some  of  us,  and  no  wonder 
while  they  held  their  exalted  views  of 
the  grace  ot  God,  which  taught  them 
to  look  to  the  Great  Giver  for  wis- 
dom, an  not  to  this  world.  And  a- 
gain  when  we  apply  to  the  world  for 
wisdom,  consider  the  contempt  we 
throw  on  the  wisdom  that  comes 


L 41  J 

From  ubo''c  ; observe  whenever  we  apply  to  aiiy 
source  for  help,  it  proves  that  we  look  at  that  as  a 
superior  source.  So  I consider  the  board  cast  this 
contempt  on  the  school  of  Heaven,  whenever  they 
purpose  seminaries  of  learuiiigto  qualify  preach- 
ers ; and  in  respect  to  sending  out  preachers,  the 
scriptures  hold  out  to  our  \ iew  that  it  is  God  who 
calls,  tiualifies  and  prepares  a preacher  for  the 
work,  he  designs  him  to  do,  and  the  church  is  the 
instrumental  means,  in  the  hands  of  God,  to  send 
him  out  in  gospel  order,  that  the  union  with 
Christ  and  his  church  may  appear  extcraneously 
as  it  is  iiuernally  performed  by  his  spirit,  which 
internal  uii;ou  cannot  appear  nor  be  perceived 
by  tiie  act  of  the  board  of  missions ; and  as  to  the 
support  of  the  minister,  the  board  teaches  their 
students  to  look  back  (remember  Lot’s  wife)  for 
a support  wliicli  was  nottlie  case  with  the  apos- 
tles, for  they  were  taught  to  forget  tlie  tilings  that 
are  behind,  and  not  act  like  tiiose  men  that 
stooped  down  to  the  water,  but  catch  as  they 
pass  on  and  lap  li.ke  Gideon’s  men.  'I'hat  is, 
they  take  no  tnought  to  themselves  what  tliey' 
shall  eat  or  drink,  or  wherewith  they  shall  be 
clothed  ; but  they  trust  the  God  of  grace,  know- 
ing that  they  wiio  preach  tiie  gospel  shall  live 
of  it,  and  that  the  labourer  is  worthy  of  his  hire — 
and  their  heavenly  father  knoweth  what  they' 
need,  and  where  they  go  their  support  is  their 
due,  that  is,  if  they  give  themselves  wholly  to  the 
work.  Here  let  me  observe  the  preachers  have 
no  right  to  look  back  where  they  came  from,  for 
there  is  no  account  that  the  gospel  ministers  are 
supported  from  behind, — for  Paul  calls  it  robbe- 
ry, and  confesses  iiimself  guilty  of  robbing  other 
cliurches  and  taking  wages  from  them  to  do  ser- 
vice to  the  Corinthian  church,  and  asks  forgive- 

(5 


I’ 


[ 42  ^ 

ness  for  that  ■wrong.  We  must  say  that  where- 
ever  a preacher  labors,  is  the  place  for  him  to- 
claim  his  support,  and  he  lias  no  scriptural  author- 
ity to  look  any  where  else — for  the  jilan  of  suppor- 
ting preachers  by  contribution,  is  without  the  au- 
thority of  the  bible,  for  the  contributions  the 
scripture  speaks  of,  and  taking  it  from  one  place 
to  another,  was  for  the  relief  of  the  poor  saints 
and  not  for  the  pi’eachers.  For  the  preachers 
are  supported  as  a debt  we  owe  the  gospel,  a.nd 
that  where  they  preach,  and  not  to  be  sent  af- 
ter them — and  we  cannot  pay  a debt  we  owe  by 
a leberal  gift — so  the  poor  is  relieved  by  an  act 
of  chanty,  and  the  preachers  supported  as  tlieir 
just  due. 

As  I have  gone  this  far,  it  is  necessary  for  me 
to  say  more,  lest  my  readers  may  think  I aim  to 
make  a trade  of  the  gospel.  Xo,  this  is  what  I 
mean  : when  I travel  and  preach,  I think  I have 
a right  to  claim  my  support,  and  that  I am  not 
in  debt  to  the  people  for  the  reasonable  supplies 
to  enable  me  to  go  on  in  the  ministry  ; and  whea 
I am  at  home  it  is  my  duty  to  labour  foi’  the  sup- 
port of  myself  and  family — and  whenever  my 
family  is  in  need  of  assistance,  and  I caanot  re- 
lieve them  by  reason  of  my  engagements  in  the 
ministry,  then  it  is  the  duty  of  the  clvurch  to  as- 
sist them.  But  my  family  cannot  eat  money,  and 
whenever  the  offer  of  a little  corn,  wheat,  or  a 
piece  of  meat  becomes  offensive  let  them  alone 
till  the  y get  hungry  enough  to  eat  a piece  of  ash 
Poone.  So  I think  it  is  necessary  for  the  preach- 
er to  know  it  is  better  to  give  than  receive,  and  be 
looking  forward  to  the  mark  for  the  prize,  and 
remember  that  God  is  able  to  cause  the  Ravens 
to  feed  his  people.  And  now  the  plain  fact  is, 
when  we  try  the  principle  and  practice  of  the  mis- 


C 43  ] 

sjon  system  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel  by  the 
■word  of  God,  they  are  different,  for  the  mission 
plan  is  to  look,  to  the  world  for  qualification  and 
support,  witile  the  scriptural  plan  is  to  look  to 
God  for  both,  for  the  mission  society  claims  the 
government  of  the  ministers,  to  look  them  out— 
qualify  them  by  learning — send  them  out  and 
appoint  the  field  of  their  labours  and  compen- 
sate them  for  their  services  ; while  the  scriptu- 
ral plan  is  that  God  holds  the  internal  govern** 
ment  of  the  ministry  by  the  internal  impressions 
made  by  his  spirit,  and  has  given  the  authority  of 
the  government  of  the  miiiistiy  to  his  church,  to 
conduct  the  executii  e part  of  the  niinistrjq  in  the 
external  parts  of  the  gospel  to  be  performed  a- 
greeable  to  the  govcniinent  in  his  word  ; and  Gcd 
claims  the  riglit  of  looking  out  preachers  and 
qualifying  them  by  teaching  of  his  spirit,  and  that 
agreeable  to  his  word,  and  of  sending  them  out 
under  the  direction  of  his  spirit  and  government 
as  above  stated — and  directs  them  into  the  field 
of  their  labour  by  his  spirit,  whether  to  jews  or 
gentiles — and  compensates  them  with  “ well  done 
though  good  and  faithful  -servant” — and  the 
promises  of  the  hfe  that  now  is,  and  that  which 
is  to  come.  But  when  all  other  evidences  fail 
to  estabhsh  the  mission  principles,  then  its  advo- 
cates will  introduce  the  zeal  that  attends  the 
mission  spirit  for  its  justification. 

But  my  dear  brethren,  if  great  and  warm  zeal 
}s  to  justify  the  principle,  then  surely  the  wor- 
shipers of  Juggernot  will  claim  the  preference, 
wiiile  the  Mahometans  mat'  lay  in  their  plea,  and 
the  persecutors  of  the  church  of  Christ  have 
much  to  hope,  and  king  Saul’s  zeal  must  be  bet- 
ter than  his  command,  for  instead  of  his  killing 
all  the  Amalekites,  as  God  told  him,  he  saved 


L 44  ] 

some  alive  to  offer  in  sacs-ifice  to  the  lord.  But 
Samuel  told  him  to  hearken  was  better  than  sac- 
rihee,  and  to  obey  than  the  fat  of  rams — so 
let  us  fear  lest  our  zeal  leads  us  to  do  tliat  which 
God  hath  not  required  at  our  hands,  and  it  re- 
turns with  curses  on  our  heads  like  Israel  tvhen 
they  wished  to  be  like  the  rest  of  the  nations 
of  the  earth,  and  prayed  for  a king,  and  God 
granted  their  prayers — gave  them  a king — point- 
ed him  out  for  them  and  instructed  him  what  to 
do — and  at  the  same  time  designed  him  to  be  a 
curse  to  the  people.  So  I wish  the  mission 
friends  to  know  that  all  their  zeal,  their  prayers, 
t’leir  answers  to  their  prayers,  and  their  forego- 
ing all  the  conflicts  of  life,  even  if  they  give 
themselves  a sacrifice  to  the  mission  system,  it 
will  never  justify  the  principle  noi-  practice  un- 
less they  have  thus  saith  the  word  of  the  lord 
for  it.  For,  we  are  commanded  not  to  be  wise 
above  that  which  is  written.  \\’e  have  to  ac- 
knowledge, that  the  gospel  has  been  conducted, 
elirected  and  supported  for  nearly  eighteen  hun- 
dred years  without  such  a plan  as  the  board  has 
prescribed.  1 ask  is  not  the  earth  the  lords 
now  the  same  as  it  ever  was?  Yes,  and  let  the 
churches  do  their  duty  and  the  thing  can  be 
done  in  a gospel  dike  manner.  I keep  tltir.k- 
Ing  of  a little  anecdote  that  I once  heard.  A ve- 
ry liomely  lady  undertook  to  dress  herself  before 
the  glass,  and  make  herself  look  handsome  ; but 
let  her  turn  herself  or  her  dress  as  she  would,  the 
glass  was  true  and  would  show  her  ugly  features 
until  she  was  very  much  enraged,  and  to  vent  her 
spite  struck  a fatal  blow  at  the  innocei.t  glass  and 
broke  it  in  pieces  and  scattered  it  over  the 
whole  house  whicli  made  the  matter  still  w orsc, 
for  then  go  tvherc  she  would  in  the  hous?  there 


L 45  ] 

was  some  piece  of  the  glass  which  would  still 
shew  her  uglr  features.  This  I have  thought 
most  beautifully  brings  to  my  view  the  situation 
of  the  saints  after  the  day  of  pentecost,  when 
they  were  embodied  together,  and  as  a glass  all 
the  devil  could  do  in  his  disemulations  and  com- 
ing as  near  the  gospel  light  and  beauty,  by  his 
dressing  error  as  finely  ashe  possibly  could.  Yet 
the  saints,  as  the  glass  through  which  the  gospel 
light  did  shine  and  disclose  the  ugly  features  of 
error.  The  devil  got  mad,  struck  the  fatal  blow 
through  the  Pagan  persecution,  scattered  the  dis- 
ciples of  Christ  through  a great  many  parts  of 
the  then  known  world,  and  the  same  may  be 
said  by  every  persecution  ever  since ; but  blessed 
be  God  there  is  in  a great  many  parts  of  the 
world,  and  even  in  what  we  may  call  the  wilder- 
ness and  frontiers  of  America  parts  of  that  true 
glass  that  will  show  satan’s  ugly  features,  let 
him  come  in  whatever  shape  he  pleases,  and  e- 
ven  if  it  is  among  the  Baptists  the  true  church  of 
Christ.  And  I should  as  soon  think  that  some 
how  like  this  the  gospel  will  get  to  all  nations  as 
anyhow  else,  as  God  generally  breaks  the  dev- 
il’s head  with  his  own  weapons.  But  I must  re- 
turn to  the  subject : — ^)  ou  wall  sajg  pei’haps, 
what  will  become  of  the  preachers  we  have  sent 
out.^  I ask  what  made  you  send  them?  for  if 
God  had  sent  them,  no  doubt  but  he  would  pro- 
\'ide  their  support  where  he  sent  them,  as  he 
has  done  for  his  other  preachers  he  has  scut. 
You  will  say  then,  what  will  become  of  our  trans- 
lators who  w’e  have  sent  ? I answ'er  support  them 
as  long  as  necessary  for  that  work,  but  net  as 
preachers  but  as  translators  or  printers  ; and  re- 
member t’nat  the  kingdom  of  God  is  like  a grain 
of  Mustard  seed,  that  if  God  has  planted  it  there, 


C 46  3 

jt  ;s  iv^iC-S  work  to  make  it  grow  ; and  instead 
of  our  being  opposed  to  giving  the  Heathens  tUe 
Bible,  we  are  willing  to  help  yon  do  this  ; take 
every  thing  else  from  it — that  is,  if  furth.er  trans- 
lation is  necessary,  ii  it  can  be  taken  in  a preper 
manner,  as  we  have  agreed  that  can  be  dene  by 
the  things  of  this  world,  as  tyjies,  j^aper  and  the 
labor  or  men  all  cost  money.  But  as  to  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel,  wc  bcliete  it  is  directed  by  the 
special  workings  of  God’s  spirit,  and  that  w ork 
we  leave  for  God’s  direction,  and  v.  e cannot  join 
you  in  that,  tor  wc  think  you  sin  when  you  touch 
it  in  the  way  \ou  do.  'the  mission  advocates 
sceiii  to  giound'all  their  arguments  on  the  pro- 
priety of  sending  the  gospel  to  the  heathens, 
but  if  this  was  all  wc  could  bare  it  better,  but 
tv  hen  wc  Icck  at  the  plan  2..ropoEed  in  the  mis- 
sion system  w c find  the  heathens  are  not  the  only 
object,  for  wc  hnd  they  are  aiming  to  establish 
missionary  families  i,ot  only  among  the  heathens, 
but  on  our  own  frontiers  where  preachers  are 
perhajis  as  plenty  as  among  oursches,  tl.cre  set- 
ting up  schools  and  raising  family  funds  and 
stocks,  flocks  and  herds,  of  \ aliens  kinds,  all  be- 
longing to  the  mission  system.  And  wc  see  them 
ain.ing  to  get  thirty  ihousaiul  ]:reachcrs  circula- 
ting througliout  ihe  world,  here  as  well  as  else- 
where, all  to  lce>k  to  the  seminary  of  learning  for 
a quahfication,  and  to  the  mission  fund  for  a sup- 
port, and  depending  on  them  to  aj^point  the  field 
of  their  labour. 

Dear  brethren,  can  you  blame  us  for  not  believ- 
ing the  mission  system  now  jmisued,  to  be  tlie 
way  or  medium  through  whiclr  the  lord  is  about 
to  fill  the  world  with  his  gospel  or  jjrcachors  ; 
when  you  are  not  able  to  show  such  or  plan  or  : c- 
jciety  threughout  the  Icds  of  the  Bible.  And  I 


L 47  1 

ask,  can  vre  believe  that  God  ever  designed  so 
great  a work  to  be  performed  in  that  way,  and 
has  given  us  no  account  in  his  word,  so  that  his 
children  might  understand  his  will  and  agree  in 
the  work.  There  is  one  thing  more  I wish  to 
notice  before  1 close  this  point.  I have  noticed 
in  some  con-espcr.dent  letters  from  the  board,  and 
some  remarks  in  what  they  call  “The  Latter 
D.ay  Lumiiiar;.-,”  v,  ;th  serre  plain  hints  in  the 
circular  adoress  by  Isaac  M’Cey,  that  all  we 
vhod<  net  fall  in  w;th  the  mission  system,  or 
stand  opposed  to  it,  arc  deemed  impious,  or  not 
on  the  lord’s  side,  or  oppecers  to  the  comm;ssi^n 
Christ  gave  Ids  disciples  to  preach  the  g'^spel, 
acd  ur.frtendly  to  the  heathen’s  h..ting  the  Bible. 
And  wha:  seems  strange  ar.d  inconsistent  is  the 
mission  advocates  often  teli  us  it  is  a free  thing 
and  no  compv.’sicn,  and  we  arc  at  liberr.'  wdtheut 
any  ceriSure  or  charge  from  them  to  act  our  plea- 
sure p,nd  they  claim  the  same  right  to  act  i;i  fa- 
vor cf  the  plan.  Strange  indeed  that  w e should 
be  such  base  characters  and  still  held  cur  seat 
in  full  fcilowship,  ar.d  more  strange  to  hear  them 
SJ.y  that  they  arc  not  hurt  with  us  when  we  re- 
fuse to  suppen  t'ne  mission  system.  And  still 
more  strange  if  possibie  to  think  we  are  so  fool- 
ish as  to  rest  contented  under  charges  cf  such 
great  magr.itadc.  It  must  be  owing  to  this  cue 
thing,  the  mission  friends  know  they  h.ave  no 
grounds  to  raise- or  support  a charge  against  us, 
as  we  believe  and  practice  as  we  have  always 
done  upon  constitutional  grounds.  And  we 
have  net  left  them  but  they  have  left  us.  As 
such  v.  e cannet  say  that  cur  beloved  brethren, 
leaving  of  the  good  old  way  and  falling  ir.to  er- 
ror, do  rot  hurt  us.  ix)  I conclude  that 
when  we  brh.g  the  principle  and  practice 


[ 48  3 

of  the  mission  system,  to  the  word  of  God,  the 
sure  standard,  it  will  not  measure  nor  weigh  with 
it.  As  such,  we  are  bound  to  give  it  against  the 
mission  plan,  and  bring  in  a verdict  in  favor  of 
the  Bible  plan,  for  making  and  sending  out  prea- 
chers of  the  gospel. 

I shall  let  these  remarks  suffice  on  this  point, 
and  pass  on  to  the  6th  head  under  considei'ation, 
which  is  to  shov/  the  most  particular  objections  I 
have  to  the  principles  and  practice  of  the  Bap- 
tist board  of  foreigai  missions. 

My  object  on  this  piont  is  to  show  the  moral 
evil  that  I see  in  the  mission  system,  and  where 
it  causes  our  brethren  to  sin,  ivhich  is  the  rea- 
son we  can  have  no  fellowship  with  them  in  the 
mission  spirit,  and  lays  ns  under  tlie  heart  rend- 
ing necessity  of  denying  fellowship  Y*ith  them, 
while  engaged  in  it.  Now  dear  brethren  as  the 
mission  s}  stem  is  bringing  such  distress  in  Zion, 
although  I know  you  lay  the  blame  of  this  dis- 
tress on  tliosc  who  oppose  the  mission  plan.  Yet 
I as  well  know  the  cause  is  in  you,  and  the  time 

come  when  we  are  compelled  to  submit  to,  or 
join  in  with  that  which  we  believe  in  crur  very 
hearts  to  be  contrary  to  the  faith  of  God’s  elect, 
and  heineously  wicked  in  its  nature,  or  exhibit 
our  charges  against  the  principles  and  deny  fel- 
lowship with  the  practice,  so  I hope  you  will  pay 
a close  attention  to  my  objections  or  charges,  and 
give  every  remark  due  weight  and  not  let  pre- 
judice blind  your  minds  nor  hardness  possess  your 
hearts.  And  I hope  you  will  not  think  these 
statements,  because  they  are  pointed  and  plain, 
comes  from  the  harshness  of  spirit ; but  the  sin- 
cerity of  my  heart  as  an  accountable  creature  to 
God,  and  a lover  of  the  appearance  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  And  I request  one  thing  more,  and 


[ 49  ] 

that  is,  not  let  the  arguments  lose  their  weight 
for  the  want  of  being  decorated  with  the  flowery 
language  of  the  learned. 

1 come  now  to  my  first  objection  ; which  is  the 
principle  and  practice  of  the  mission  system  in 
its  present  operation.  It  has  neither  precept  nor 
example  to  justify  it  within  the  two  lids  of  the 
Bible.  Therefore  we  have  a right  to  reject  it. 
For  through  tile  precept  of  the  lord  we  get  un- 
derstanding— therefore  we  hate  every  false  way  i 
— this  objection  I have  fully  treated  on  hereto- 
fore and  I have  just  named  it  now  to  bring  to 
your  minds  the  weight  it  justly  deserves,  and  I 
will  now  state  my  second  objection  which  I 
hope  will  be  duly  attended  to. 

I conceive  the  baptist  board  in  their  principle 
and  practice,  have  rebelled  against  the  kingdi«» 
of  Zion,  violated  the  government  of  the  gospel 
church  and  forfeited  their  right  to  the  union 
and  brought  distress  on  the  church  of  Christ. 

1st.  They  have  rebelled  against  the  kingiaai 
of  Zion,  inasmuch  as  they  have  assumed  an  au- 
tliority  that  Christ  has  reserved  alone  to  himself. 

2d.  They  have  violated  the  right  or  govern- 
ment of  the  churrfhof  Chriet  in  forming  them- 
selves into  a 'body  and  acting  without  the  author- 
ity of  the  union. 

jd  They  have  forfeited  their  right  to  the  Un- 
ion by  departing  from  tile  gospel  plan  and  the 
. common  constant  and  constitutional  faith  and 

Eractice  of  the  baptist  church,  and  thereby 
rought  distress  on  the  church  of  Christ.  • 

In  order  to  be  short,  I shall  notice -all  these 
points  under  one  view.  It  Ts  a soul  reviving  faith 
that  is  peculiar  toi  the  Baptists,  and  I believe 
denied  by'  none  that  profess  the  Baptist  faith 
(as  such  it  saves  me  the  trouble  of  being  so  ve- 
rv  parucular  in  my  evidence  to  prove  my  doc- 

7 


C 50  } 

trine)  that  Clirist  did  set  up  and  establish  his 
church  in  tiiis  world  upon  that  Rock  that  the 
gates  of  hell  should  not  prevail  against  it.  And 
the  spirit  told  Daniel  that  God  should  set  up 
a kingdom  which  should  nevet  be  overthrown 
and  Paul  calls  it  the  church  of  the  Living"  God, 
the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth — and  Christ 
has  evidently  manifested  his  kingly  power  and 
authority,  and  has  gave  his  law,  the  gospel  gov» 
efument,  to  be  observed  and  practised  by  his 
church,  and  sent  his  holy  spirit  to  gui<j^ilj3fc 
in  to  all  truth,  and^iring  all  things  to  thefP^e^ 
membrance  that  he  iias  said  unto  them  ; and  has 
never  authorised  any  man  nor  set  of  men  (al- 
though they  may  have  the  wisdom  of  the  wise 
or  the  tongue  of  an  Angel)  to  alter  his  law  or 
change  the  method  of  government,  that  he  gave 
his  church,  nor  arrest  tne  authority  he  has  gave 
into  their  hands  ; no  not  from  the  apostolick  age 
of  the  v,''iiid  even  until  now.  But  by  a proper 
and  close  attention,  and  a just  execution  of  gov- 
ernment, the  blessed  union  of  the  church,  the 
body  of  Christ,  is  preserved  and  they  are  united 
together,  a,nd  seperatcd  from  tlie  world  even 
vvniie  they  are  in  it.  By  this  means  the  glory  of 
God  is  manifested  throughout  his  church. 

iNovv  observe,  when  a body  of  men  attempt 
to  perform  a work  which  a king  has  reserved 
to  his  own  authority,  it  is  evidently  a rebellion 
against, that  king. — Just  so  I view  the  mission 
society — in  their  attempts  to  seek  out  preachers, 
qualify  them,  send  them  out  and  appoint  the 
field  of  tlieir  labours,  they  have  most  certainly 
rebelled  against  the  authority  of  Christ,  for  we 
Baptists  profess  to  believe,  and  we  think  upon 
scriptural  authority,  that  the  internal  work  of 
the  calling  and  sending  out  of  preachers,  is  as 
evidently  performed  by  the  spii-it  of  God  on  the 


-.4  •<  ' ■ 


i L 51  j 

aJicart,  as  it  is  in  calling  the  smner  from  nature 
I to  grace.  And  now  in  the  next  place  observd 
P any  society  formed,  undertaking  a work,  bearing 
f)  title  of  tlie  work  of  God  performed  in  the  name 
I of  the  church,  and  that  society  not  under  the 
k government  of  the  chuch  (whose  title  it  bears)  as 
f to  the  objects  of  its  pursuite,  is  e\’idently  a re- 
jection of  the  authority  of  the  church,  or  indi- 
rectly a rebellion  against  it.  Just  so  the  board 
ave  stiled  tAe  General  Missioji  Convention  of 
the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  United  States  of 
America  for  foreign  missions;  still  tliey  are  not  un- 
der the  government  of  the  baptist  union,  and  let 
them  do  good  or  bad  it  is  under  the  name  of  the 
baptists,  and  we  have  no  way  to  help  ourselves, 
but  must  bear  it,  and  cannot  call  tlaem  to  an  ac- 
count by  any  authority  we  have  gave  tliem  or 
they  have  given  us.  I know  it  is  argued  by  some 
that  the  board  is  under  the  government  of  the 
baptist  union,  but  this  argument  is  false,  for  the 
mesnbersof  the  triennial  convention  is  composed 
of  members  from  missionary  societies  and  other 
religious  bodies  of  the  baptist  denomination,  that 
is,  if  they  bring  a hundred  dollars  with  them,  if 
not  no  seat.  These  members  do  not  possess  even 
delegated  authority  from  the  baptist  union  to 
transact  the  mission  business,  but  derive  their 
powers  from  the  missionary  societies  which  are 
formed  of  various  persons,  believing  and  support-" 
ing  a multitude  of  doctrines.  We  have  no  doubt 
but  that  these  men  may  be  accountable  to  the 
churches  where  their  membership  is,  for  their 
immoral  condust ; but  as  to  the  mission  system, 
the  churches  have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  But, 
the  fact  is,  the  mission  society  has  formed  a plan 
that  requires  a great  deal  of  money  to  carry  it 
into  effect,  and  now  calls  on  the  churches  for 
to  help  them  get  the  money— but  the  counsel  of 


[ 5,2  1 

tjie  union  is  neither  asked  nor  known  in  the  mis- 
sion plan ; — for  I cannot  think  that  wise  men 
should  be  so  ignorant  as  to  think  that  asking  the 
counsel  of  a few  certain  individuals,  whom  they 
thought  would  most  favor  their  plan,  was  the 
proper  method  to  get  the  voice  of  the  union. — 
And  I now  ask,  when  any  person  great  or  small 
gives  themselves,  as  we  hope,  first  to  the  Lord 
and  then  to  us,  by  the  will  of  God,  have  they  any 
right  to  act  contrary  to  the  common  and  con- 
stant faith  and  practice  of  that  body  of  people, 
or  that  government  which  they  have  subjected 
themselves  to.  You  are  obliged  to  answer  they 
have  no  such  right.  Well,  I ask  what  have  the 
mission  society  done,  when  neither  scripture  nor 
history  gives  any  account  that  the  baptist  church 
has  ever  taken  this  method  to  fill  the  world  with 
preachers : — then  I ask,  where  has  the  mission 
society  got  their  power  from?  Not  from  the 
baptist  authority,  nor  from  the  authority  of  God’s 
word;  for  that  knows  of  no  such  a plan,  ano  it 
has  given  no  such  authority.  It  is  then  a prac- 
tice without  any  legal  authority,  and  has  only  o- 
riginated  amongst  themselves,  and  they  claim  a 
power — that  alone  belongs  to  christ  and  his 
church,  and  consequently  act  in  disorder,  not- 
withstanding they  are  great  and  we  hope  good' 
men. 

\\’ell,  if  the  authority  of  government  is  in  the 
church,  and  the  mission  society  act  without  it, 
then  they  are  evidently  in  disorder  and  conse- 
(juently  their  work  is  in  disorder.  The  preach- 
ers they  send,  the  members  they  baptize  and 
the  churches  they  constitute  are  all  in  a state 
of  disorder.  And  now  if  my  statements  be  cor- 
I’ect,  which  I am  pursuaded  you  cannot  over- 
throw by  the  authority  of  scripture,  and  the 
principle  and  practice  of  the  baptist  church,  have 


C 53  ] 

we  no  cause  of  grief.  Our  beloved  brethren 
have  gone  estray — they  have  sinned  against  the 
king  of  Zion — they  have  violated  our  govern- 
ment and  thereby  forfeited  their  right  to  the  bap- 
tist union,  for  they  have  left  us — they  have  gone 
into  these  measures  without  our  authority  or  con- 
sent— while  we  believe  and  practice  as  the  bap- 
tists have  generally  done  and  walk  in  the  good 
old  apostolic  path— our  brethren  have  left  us,  we 
have  not  left  them — therefore  we  claim  the  con- 
stitutional gi’ounds  and  in  such  cases  the  minority 
can  exclude  the  majority.  I now  leave  the  re- 
\uarks  on  this  objection  for  the  candid  mind  to 
ponder  on,  and  pass  on  to  the  next  objection. 

My  3d  objection  is,  the  mission  society  ap- 
plies, under  the  character  of  religion,  to  the  ene-  '^ 
mies  of  Christ  for  help,  and  therefore  cast  con- 
tempt on  his  dignity.  In  this  I wish  to  notice  in  a 
brief  way  the  method  of  the  mission  society,  in 
collecting  of  money  for  the  support  ot  the  gospel. 
VVe  remember  when  Christ  was  in  the  world  with 
his  disciples,  he  gave  them  a very  particular 
caution,  and  told  them  they  were  in  tlie  world, 

1 nt  they  were  not  of  the  world,  therefore  the 
world  would  hate  them,  but  he  let  them  know 
the  world  hated  him  before  it  hated  them.  The 
whole  scope  of  scripture  goes  to  prove  that 
there  is  a pointed  enmity  in  the  world  or  carnal 
mind  against  Christ  and  consequently  against  his 
church,  because  of  their  union  or  friendship  with 
him.  And  now  the  question  is,  has  our  blessed 
lord  become  so  weak,  so  poor,  and  so  dependent, 

that  he  must  apply  to  his  enemies  for  help O 

contemptible  idea  of  Christ ! — we  see  the  mis- 
sion society  opening  the  door  and  using  every 
exertion  to  collect  money  from  the  world,  and 
I qualify  men  by  the  wisdom  of  this  world  for  the 
purpose  of  accomplishing  the  work  of  salvation 


L 54  1 

amongst  the  heathens,  and  cause  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  to  more  fully  come.  And  again,  not  only 
mingling  with  the  wicked  of  the  world,  but  with 
other  professions  of  religion  which  we  believe  is 
the  daughters  of  the  mother  harlots,  and  conse- 
quently in  tlieir  system  of  religion  is  in  part  of 
the  antichfistian  spirit,  and  if  so,  in  that  part 
the  enemy  of  Christ.  What  is  the  cause  of  wick- 
ed men  giving  tlieir  money  for  religious  purposes 
is  it  because  the  nature  of  men  has  got  better  ? 
or  is  it  because  the  spirit  and  plan  of  the  mission 
system  is  move  agreeable  to  the  spirit  and  plan  of 
nature.^  No  doubt  but  there  will  be  objections 
or  denials  to  these  chai-gcs.  But  I say  these 
things  are  so,  for  the  missionarv'  societies  formed 
auxiliary  to  the  board.  Alembers  of  these  socie- 
ties obtain  tiieir  seats  and  authority  here  by 
paying  their  money  ; and  wicked  men  here  have 
as  great  a right  as  any  other  by  paying  their  mo- 
ney, and  when  my  money  gives  me  a seat  in  a 
religious  counsel  I then  s'ay  money  is  the  cause 
of  my  fellowship,  and  it  looks  as  though  I had 
forgotten  that  the  love  of  money  was  the  root  of 
all  evil. 

I fear  some  of  my  baptist  brethren  have  forgot- 
ten this  caution.  Some  may  say  that  I stand 
opposed  to  education  from  the  remarks  that  I 
lidi  c made  ; but  I think  education  a great  corn- 
man  blessing  in  its  place.  But  when  we  worship 
the  creature  instead  of  the  creator  we  sin,  and 
abuse  the  blessings  bestowed  on  us.  So  I op- 
pose the  principle  of  education  being  an  essential 
qualification  to  the  ministry.  It  is  evident  that 
education  makes  a man  a more  accomplished  de- 
ceiver, and  he  is  better  enabled  to  practice  fraud 
on  the  minds  of  the  people,  and  it  has  ever  beep 
the  case  and  ever  will,  unless  governed  by  the 
powers  of  divine  grace  : for  it  is  evident  that  ed- 


L .55  3 

ucation  has  made  manifest  more  bad  men  than  it 
ever  has  good  ones.  So  I think  Ave  had  better 
leave  it  for  God’s  work  to  call  men  of  education 
•when  he  wants  such,  than  to  undertake  to  make 
preachers  by  gi\  ing  them  education.  It  is  true, 
where  grace  governs  education,  both  meeting  in 
one  man,  and  that  man  is  called  by  the  eftectual 
workings  of  God’s  spirit,  to  the  work  ofthe  min- 
istrj',  heis  better  qualiEed  to  express  or  com- 
lU’unicate  his  ideas.  But  he  still  labours  under  se- 
rious difficulty.  The  pride  of  his  heart  calls  on 
him  to  tickle  the  ear  or  please  the  fancy  of  the 
learned  part  of  his  congregation — and  to  do  that 
leaves  the  ignorant  part  without  information. 

But  this  IS  like  the  sjhnt  of  t!ie  world,  and 
like  the  old  proverb,  “God  help  the  rich,  the 
poor  can  beg.”  Let  the  learned  part  of  the  world 
be  pleased  and  informed  more  and  more,  but 
the  ignoiar.t  stay  where  they  arc.  Bo  I say  if 
the  clergy  must  have  education  to  understand 
the  gram atical  sense  of  words,  so  the  hearers 
ought  to  have  the  same  understanding,  lest  a 
fraud  should  be  practised  on  them,  for  through 
the  false  zeal  and  the  advantage  of  education,  the 
whole  of  the  delusions  and  false  ways  are  impos- 
etl  on  the  world  of  mankind,  and  have  caused 
thousands  of  God’s  dear  children  to  seal  their 
testimony  01  C;i l ist  with  their  own  blood,  when 
persecution  has  preva  led  under  the  prejudice  of 
education.  Then  no  wonder  when  we  baptists 
dread  its  appearance,  under  the  name  of  religion 
and  draw  the  sword  against  it. 

Bo  I conclude  that  adopting  such  plans  is  aim- 
ing to  make  addition  to  God’s  word,  and  argues 
that  the  king  of  Zion  was  imperfect  and  did  not 
know  the  best  plan  for  qualifying,  supporting 
apd  sending  out  preachers.  I conceive  the  niis- 
*ioa  plan  cast  tills  coatempt  oh  the  dignity  of 


e 56  3 

’Christ,  while  they  rob  God  of  his  glory  and 
make  merchandize  of  the  gospel. 

Much  more  might  be  said  on  this  point,  but  I 
shall  pass  on,  hoping  you  will  not  count  me  your 
enemy  because  I have  told  you  the  truth. 

My  4th  objection  is,  the  mission  spirit  does  not 
appear  to  my  view'  hke  the  spirit  of  Chrit — it 
looks  like  that  abomination  spoken  of  by  Daniel 
the  prophet,  standing  in  the  holy  place,  or  where 
it  ought  not. — This  holy  place  spoken  of,  or  where 
it  ought  not  to  be,  is  evidently  the  church  of 
Christ,  and  the  abomination  spoken  of  by  Daniel 
is  the  anti-christian  ^irit — its  standing  where  it 
ought  not,  is  when  tlftt  spirit  would  stand  in  the 
church  or  holy  place.  Alas ! alas ! has  the 
time  come  when  the  spirit  that  moved  in  the 
council  at  the  rise  of  the  Popish  dominion— that 
gave  education  a seat  in  religion,  and  made  It  es- 
sential to  the  ministry — has  it  now  got  possession 
of  the  hearts  of  some  of  our  dear  baptist  brethren 
— will  it  prevail  ? — 0 no ! for  I verily  believe  it 
is  one  of  the  flood  gates  of  hell,  and  our  blessed 
Lord  has  said  it  shall  not  prevail  against  his 
church. 

O ! my  dear  brethren  this  is  the  stay  and  com- 
fort of  my  heart.  The  mission  system  now  pre»- 
scribed  never  will  prevail  agrmst  the  baptist 
church  or  union — nor  be  supported  by  its  act.— 
How  far  it  may  split  the  union  God  only  knows. 
I hope  not  far  : For  I have  no  doubt  but  there 
will  be  a faithful  few  that  will  contend  earnestly 
for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  as  there 
was  at  the  establishment  of  the  abomination  of 
the  Popish  empire. 

No  doubt  some  will  laugh  me  to  scorn  and  say 
I am  like  a timid  horse  in  the  lead,  that  starts 
at  a shaddow,  when  there  is  no  danger,  and 
ftightens  all  the  rest.  1 know  th^e  is  no  dan- 


I 57  1 

gcr  no''^',  under  our  republican  government,  but 
how  soon  may  this  blessed  liberty  be  snatched 
from  us  when  so  much  abused. — And  how  soon 
may  the  time  come  when  they  that  kill  us  AVill 
verily  think  they  are  doing  God’s  service.  And 
again  I find  the  mission  spirit  is  to  go  on  to  ac- 
complish their  object,  whether  they  have  the 
mind  of  Christ  and  his  church  or  not.  And  al- 
though they  say  when  science  would  claim  the 
preference,  let  it  be  rejected,  I fear  my  breth- 
' ren  have  not  considered  what  manner  of  spiVit 
they  arc  of,  for  their  conduct  contradicts  these 
words.  My  brethren,  I have  travelled  through 
many  parts  and  I too  often  see  that  the  mission 
spirit  causes  party  feeling  among  the  baptists, 
und  plans  laid  to  weaken  the  hands  of  the  op- 
posers  of  the  mission  system  and  support  theff 
■own  designs,  and  the  mission  friends  seem  to  ro 
joice  in  the  Latter  day  Luminarv,  while  I feel 
as  though  the  latter  day  darkness  is  approacTi- 
mg  ; for  the  world  is  at  this  time  in  as  great  a 
state  of  sin  and  rebellion  against  God,  as  perhaps 
it  has  e\  er  been.  Iniquitv  is  abounding  and  Ae 
love  of  many  waxing  cold.  Mv  brethren  can 
discern  the  face  of  the  skies,  but  I fear  they  do 
not  d.scern  the  signs  of  the  timesr,  for  I fear  that 
man)  are  departing  from  the  faith,  giving  heed 
to  seducing  spirits,  and  doctrines  of  devils  and 
heaping  to  themselves  teachers  having  Eching 
) cars,  and  the  doctrine  that  is  preached  upon 
the  subject  of  the  millenium.  I do  not  believe 
but  that  subject  is  too  tedious  for  me  to  enter 
on  at  this  t.me,  but  I dropt  a hint  that  I dis- 
t coter  the  mission  spirit  has  drawn  too  maiiy 
m our  preachers  too  far  into  the  armenian  prin-/^ 
ciple  or  method  of  preaching,  and  thev  have  laid 
do  wn  the  weapons  of  war  against  the'  prevailing 
errors  of  false  systems,  ^nd  ur^ite  truth  and  error 
■ “8 ■ ■ 


■ c 58  ] 

too  nigh  .together,  and  gives  false  principles  aJtd 
practice  more  credit  than  the  Bible  authorize* 
them  to  do.  Brethren  try  the  spirits,  for  many 
false  ones  are  gone  out,  and  are  ci-ying  lo ! here  is 
Christ  and  lo ! there  is  Christ. — But  go  ye  not  af- 
ter them.  For  I discover  my  brethren  of  the 
mission  system  will  sacrifice  the  government  of 
the  union  and  the  feelings  of  tlieir  Brethren  to 
accomplish  tlieir  object,  and  it  is  evident  in  my* 
view  they  axe  better  supported  by  misled  zeal  and. 
ambition  than  by  the  authority  of  the  Bible. 
There  is  one  tiling  more  I must  notice.  It  is  a 
stubborn  fact  that  through  the  states  that  hold 
slaves,  where  the  mission  spirit  prevails  very 
considerably,  that  there  are  uumbers  engaged  in 
the  mission  jilan  who  do  not  labour  one  day  in 
a year,  and  yet  possess  great  wealth  and  throw 
in  liberally  to  the  support  of  missions.  Their 
.slaves  by  intense  labour  have  accumulated  this 
wealth.  Now  I ask  a candid  public  whether 
this  is  the  religion  of  Christ  ^ Let  us  take  a 
glance  at  the  situation  of  the  Negro  : — neither 
money  nor  time  are  given  even  to  learn  him  to 
read  the  Bible — go  to  his  hut  which  he  built  in 
the  night — it  is  not  fit  for  a work  horse  to  stand  in 
-*-his  lodging  is  a scaffold  with  some  straw  on  it 
— his  diet  is  at  best  the  scraps  which  fall  from  his 
master’s  table  ; perhaps  not  so  good — and  as  to 
his  clothes,  decency  ghd  modesty  cannot  look  at 
him  without  blushing. — All  this  he  endures  be- 
sides the  abuse  he  meets  with  from  a hard  mas- 
ter. These  things  are  so.  Now  hear  his  master 
exclaim  “ Oh ! the  poor  heathens  ! they  are  lying 
in  a state  of  ignorance.  Their  direful  situation 
so  oppresseses  my  mind  that  I cannot  rest.  O 1 1 
give  my  money  freely  to  send  them  relief  and  I 
Wonder  that  all  the  Christian  world  docs  not  join 
in  so  laudable  an  undtrt»kui£,”-^-And  at  this 


I « ] 

same  time  the  poor  Africans,  who  have  earned 
this  money,  must  groan  under  the  despotic  yoke 
of  these  would-be-thought  philanthropists,  while . 
the  products  of  their  labour  are  lavidtly  squai> 
dered  in  support  of  missionaries,  sent  to  foreign 
countries  seeking  opportunities  of  converting  fo- 
reign Barbarians.  >Jow  my  dear  brethren  is  not 
the  soul  of  a negro  as  precious  in  America  as  in  ■ 
Africa?  Does  it  not  look  like  robbery  of  the 
darkest  shade  to  hold  these  human  miserables  in 
bondage — deprive  them  of  the  liberty  even  of  . 
learning  to  read  the  word  of,  and  meeting  toge- 
ther to  offer  up  their  humble  petitions  to  him  who 
was  nailed  to  the  cross  to  atone  for  the  sins  of 
mankind — to  scourge  them  with  the  crimsoned  , 
lash — to  filch  from  them  even  that  which  is  neces- 
sary to  sustain  nature,  and  then  take  the  avails 
of  their  temporal,  and  perhaps  spiritual  sufferings 
to  purchase  worldly  popularity  or  support  a mis- 
taken zeal.  I would  as  soon  believe  the  Devil  a . 
saint,  as  to  believe  this  is  the  true  spirit  of  religion. 

I could  say  many  more  things  on  this  point,  but  I 
V,  shall  just  submit  what  I have  said  to  the  candid 
reader,  and  let  him  ask  his  heart  whether  these 
things  are  so  or  not.  I now  proceed  to  the  last 
thing  proposed. 

7th,  and  lastly.  In  this  I design  to  take  a small 
view  of  the  matter  in  hand.  I have  in  the  first 
place  endeavored  to  remove  the  prejudices  from 
the  public  mind  that  have  arose  from  improper 
charges  exhibited  against  us,  who  oppose  the 
mission  system.  I tliink  I have  said  enough  to 
remove  prejudices  from  every  candid  mind,  and 
to  justify  us  as  candid  men,in  our  opposing  the  mis- 
sion system.  In  the  second  place  I have  endeav- 
ored to  bring  to  the  publice  view  the  points  of  the 
mission  system  that  we  are  not  reconciled  to,  and 
what  we  are  willing  to  support  if  brought  in  a pyo- 


. . r 60  ] 

per  manner — and  I hope  our  baptist  brethren  will 
consider  the  great  necessity  of  preserving  the 
blessed  union  of  the  church,  by  destroying  the 
evil,  and  bring  the  good  on  principles  it  can  live. 

In  the  third  place  I have  endeavored  to  bring 
to  public  view  what  we  are  to  understand  the 
board  btends  to  do  from  the  face  of  their  constitu- 
tion, and  prove  it  by  their  doctrine  and  practice. 
And  I think  it  cannot  be  denied  but  the  board  de- 
signs to  take  the  government  of  the  ministry  in 
their  own  hands,  and  support  it  by  education  and 
nioney  ; and  this  point  I hope  my  brother  prea- 
chers will  examine,  and  try  by  their  own  experi- 
ence, as  well  as  by  the  word  of  God.  Now  my 
brother  consider  how  it  was  with  you,  when  the 
Lord  was  about  to  set  you  to  preach  the  gospel  to 
a dt'ing  world — when  you  was  in  a great  strait  in 
your  mind — you  saw  and  felt  yourself  so  inade- 
quate for  so  great  a work,  that  your  spirit  shrunk 
within  you — and  you  was  ready  to  cry  out.  Lord  it 
is  too  great  a work  for  me — I shall  dislionor  thy 
cause.  I ask  you  my  brother,  where  did  your 
mind  centre,  that  gave  you  relief— that  enabled 
you  to  venture  in  the  work  ? Was  it  that  you  con- 
cluded that  you  would  spend  a year  or  two  at 
school,  and  by  that  means  receive  suitable  quali- 
ficatians,  and  then  you  would  venture  in  the  work  ? 
Or  was  it  that  you  were  brought  to  see  there  was 
help  in  God,  the  source  of  wisdom — and  he  alone 
it  was  that  was  able  to  supply  your  needs,  and  en- 
able you  to  do  the  work  he  designed  for  you  to  do  ? 
On  him  you  ventured,  & he  has  been  your  helper. 

In  the  4th  place  I have  examined  the  scripture 
evidence  most  generally  introduced  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  mission  system,  and  find  they  all  fail 
to  answer  their  purpose.  But  in  this  case  there 
is  no  doubt,  but  there  is  and  will  be  scriptures  in- 
troduced that  I have  not  taken  under  view,  but  if 


I <51  j 

rightly  understood  will  come  out  about  the  same 
way  with  the  other — and  I hope  the  Baptists  will 
examine  the  reality  of  those  evidences  more  close 
than  they  have  done  heretofore. 

In  the  5th  place  lhave  endeavored  to  bring  to 
light  and  shew  the  differecce  that  exists  between 
the  principle  and  practice  of  the  mission  society, 
and  that  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  which  appeai-s 
plain  that  one  is  of  man  and  the  other  of  God — 
and  I hope  this  distinction  will  be  more  particu- 
^ larly  examined  into,  and  let  us  come  out  from  a- 
mongst  the  unclean,  and  have  no  fellowship  with 
the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but  rather  re- 
prove them. 

In  the  6th  place,  I have  laid  before  the  public 
some  of  my  most  particular  objections  against  the 
mission  system,  and  I hope  the  objection  will  be 
duly  weighed  by  all  the  friends  of  Zion.  No  doubt 
but  the  weight  of  these  objections  will  be  tried  to 
be  destroyed  by  the  art  of  criticism,  but  I feel  wil- 
ling to  bare  all  the  dispersions  that  the  enemy'  may 
cast  on  me  for  truths  sake — and  I hope  my  dear 
brethren  who  are  on  the  Lord’s  side,  will  stand 
fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  has  made  you 
free,  and  be  careful  to  walk  in  their  duty  and 
maintain  good  works, 

I know  m a little  while  more  I must  lie  down  in 
death,  and  know  the  reality  of  these  things. — Now 
my  dear  readers,  here  is  one  thing  that  comfoi’ts 
my  heart  while  tears  are  ready  to  flow  from  my ' 
eyes,  that  when  my  body  is  mingling  with  its  mo- 
ther dust,  you  may  know  that  there  was  some  in' 
such  an  age  of  the  world  that  still  stood  as  witnes- 
ses against  error,  and  in  behalf  of  truth ; and  may 
the  Lord  grant  it  may  comfort  your  feeble  minds. 
Before  I come  to  a close,  I feel  to  give  a small 
glimpse  of  my  views  on  the  matter. 

When  I look  at  the  difference  that  appears  a- 


C 62  1 

mongst  the  Baptists  now,  and  thirty  or  forty  years 
ago,  It  truly  fills  my  heart  with  sorrow.  They 
were  about  that  time  I think,  the  veiy  description 
that  Christ  gave  of  his  humble  followers.  They 
were  meek  and  lowly  in  mind,  and  separate  from 
the  world  both  in  appearance  and  conduct.  O, 
how  lovely  they  a])peared  then,  how  sweet  their 
company  was  to  the  meek  and  lowly  in  heart.— 
But  alas ! now  many  even  preachers,  when  we  see 
them  at  the  court  house,  by  their  appearance  and 
conduct,  we  scarcely  can  tell  them  from  the  la  w- 
ycrs — and  common  professors  are  hardly  known 
from  the  world.  This  makes  me  think  of  old  Is- 
rael ; it  appears  that  when  Cod  had  blessed  them 
avilh  p.eace  and  prosperity,  they  grew  proud  and 
forgot  God's  goodness,  and  neglectful  of  their  du- 
ties, and  began  to  follow  after  the  heathen  idola- 
try, which  caused  God  to  bring  distress  upon  them, 
and  he  gave  them  up  sometimes  to  the  hands  of 
their  enemies,  and,  sometimes  judgements  of  vari- 
ous kinds  to  chastise  them  for  their  sins.  Observe 
it  was  generally'  the  leaders  of  Israel  that  was  cut 
off  because  it  was  the  leaders  of  God’s  people  that 
had  caused  them  to  err.  So  when  I look  at  the 
conduct  of  the  baptist  church  for  some  time  past, 
with  the  conduct  of  the  mission  system,  this  is  my 
view,  and  solemn  thought,  the  chnrch  of  Christ 
has  upwards  of  forty  years  enjoyed  peace  and 
prosperity,  and  like  Israel  of  old,  they  have  not  on- 
ly grown  charnally  proud,  but  spiritually  proud, 
and  forgot  the  goodness  of  God,  and  neglected 
their  duty  ; got  above  the  meek  and  lowly  way 
j)rescribed  for  them  to  walk  in,  and  drink  in  the 
spirit  of  the  world,  and  rather  conform  to  the 
practice  of  the  world  than  bear  the  reproaches 
cud  persecutions,  that  is  the  legacy  of  all  the 
humble  followers  of  our  blessed  Lord — and  they 
begin  even  in  their  religious  institutions  to  pattern 


C 63  3 

after  the  rest  of  the  nations  of  the  earth  ; I mean  ^ 
the  religion  of  the  world.  Just  look  at  the  simile 
becvveen  the  rise  of  popery  and  the  principles  and 
practice  of  our  beloved  brethren  in  the  mission 
system,  and  1 liave  no  doubt  but  Constantine  ap- 
peared to  possess  as  great  ze.alas  our  brethren 
liow  does,  and  what  awful  consequences  attended 
tnat  establishment.  1 can  truly  say;  O,  solemn 
thought,  I feel  like  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when 
God  will  chastise  his  peoi>le  for  their  pride  and 
&lly. — And  I fear  the  mission  establishment  is  the 
ivay  this  distress  will  come — and  as  the  leaders 
of  God’s  i>eople  are  the  ones  that  have  brought  in 
this  evil,  they  are  the  ones  that  will  be  cut  cif,  (I 
mean  in  a gospel  sense,)  w.iile  the  poor  despised 
and  persecuted  followers  of  their  blessed  Lord 
will  have  to  mourn  not  only  for  their  own  afflict- 
ed state,  but  for  their  dear  brethren,  like  Israel 
mourned  for  the  tribe  of  Benjamin,  their  brethren 
when  they  were  forced  to  cat  them  off.  But  as 
God  has  always  preserved,  even  tlirough  the 
worst  of  times,  a liccie  faithful  few,  altho’  despis- 
ed, yet  witnesses  for  the  truth,  and  has  respect 
to  all  the  precepts  of  their  Lord,  in  the  self  denied 
order  of  the  gospel,  and  I had  far  rather  when  I 
lie  down  in  death,  leave  my  name  recorded  among 
these  despised  few,  as  a witness  for  tlie  truth,  than 
have  it  recorded  m the  high  circle  of  fame.  I wish 
the  public  to  know  it  is  not  the  value  of  our  money 
we  regard,  but  as  honest  men  in  the  candor  of 
oar  hearts,  our  respect  is  to  the  true  order  of  our 
Lord.  My  mind  is  yet  fruitful,  but  1 must  come 
to  a close,  by  just  observing  I am  fully  apprized  of 
the  room  there  is  for  criticism.  But  I hope  my 
re.ader,  as  an  honest  man,  will  lay  aside  all  criti- 
cism with  the  bias  of  their  mind  and  come  fairly 
to  the  truth,  for  I can  say  in  truth,  I have  designed 
no  part  of  this  piece  to  hurt  the  feelings  of  any 


L 64  1 

person  whatever  ; but  I think,  my  sincere  prayer 
to  God.  is  that  He,  by  his  t^ood  spirit,  and  agree- 
able to  his  wor<l,  mav  guide  you  and  me  into  all 
truth ; and  if  it  be  his  will,  that  tliis  may  be  a 
means  in  his  hands  to  shew  mv  dear  brethren  the 
evil  they  have  joined  with.  I hope  mV  brethren 
will  reconsider  the  rhattcr,  and  come  fairly  to  the/ 
truth,  and  remember  we  arc  told  the  love  of  mon-- 
ey  is  the  root  of  all  c\  il,  and  to  charge*  them  that 
are  ricii  in  this  world  not  to  be  high  minded  : And 
I hope  you  will  take  particular  notice,  and  don’t 
forget  that  when  Christ  found  in  the  temple  them 
that  sold  oxen  and  sheep  and  doves,  and  them 
that  attended  to  the  table  of  money  changing,  that 
he  made  a scourge  of  small  chords,  and  drove 
them  out,  and  overthrew  the  table,  and  charged 
them  of  Ji  . king  his  F athcr’s  house  a house  of  mer- 
chandise, or  a den  of  thieves.  And  we  have  no 
account  that  Christ  has  ever  authorised  the  table 
of  money  changing  to  be  set  up  in  his  spiritual 
temple,  and  we  think  lie  will  not  as  he  ovorthrdw 
it  himself,  and  I hope  you  will  not  think  hard  if 
Christ  should  with  his  scourge  of  small  chords, 
that  he  has  still  left  in  his  temple,  drive  out  all 
such  characters,  and  ovcrtiirov/  the  table.  So  I 
hope  you  will  trade  no  more  on  sheej)  and  oxen, 
but  consider  what  Isay,  and  may-Xhe  I.ord  gi^e 
the  understanding  in  all  things.  1 


Errata. — In  p.  11,  for  “ damned”  rl  deemed. 


